First-line GS-13 supervisors who have not held a permanent second-line or higher supervisory/managerial level position must compete. GS-13 applicants will not be considered non-competitively for the GS-13 second-line or higher supervisory/managerial position from a first-line supervisory position.

Mandatory competition for this position now carries a one year requisite time-in-position at the first-line supervisory GS-13 position.

The above requirement does not apply if you currently hold or previously held a permanent supervisory or managerial GS-13 second-line (or higher) or equivalent position.

Temporary and permanent Supervisory Course Developer/Instructors (CDIs) will follow eligibility requirements for first-line supervisors. Incumbents in these positions will be eligible to compete for the GS-13 second-line or higher supervisory/managerial positions after serving the one year requisite time-in-position as a GS-13 Supervisory CDI.

To view the promotion eligibility directive (Directive No. 51332-022B) in its entirety, please visit the HRM career center webpage on CBPNET.

GS-13: You qualify at the GS-13 level if you meet the basic requirements as described above AND you possess one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. Examples include leading, directing, and supervising others performing inspection, intelligence analysis, examination and law enforcement activities relating to the importation/exportation of agricultural/commercial commodities and conveyances, and providing technical direction in applying a wide range of laws and regulations regarding the admissibility of agriculture commodities to prevent the introduction of harmful pests and diseases, and potential agro-terrorism into the U.S..

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must:

Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and

Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 04/19/2018.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For more information visit this link.

Probationary Period: Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.Supervisory Training: All newly appointed, permanent second level supervisors are required to complete mandatory training. The training will be scheduled by the Office of Training and Development within the first 90 days of appointment. The duration of the training will include SLCP-four weeks of in residence training in Harpers Ferry, WV. Note: This training may be waived if previously completed.Supervisory Probationary Period: You may be required to serve an 18 month probationary period upon appointment and complete a supervisory training course within 12 months of assignment.Training: You may be required to attend 8-12 weeks of training at the Professional Development Center in Frederick, Maryland. Failure to successfully complete the training may be grounds for mandatory removal from the position. Such failure will result in either reassignment to another position, demotion, or separation by appropriate procedure.Data Systems: You will be required to maintain access to all data systems necessary for duty execution.Overtime and Shift Work: This position requires regular and recurring overtime and shift work. You may also be rotated between assignments and duty locations.Uniform: You will be required to wear an officially approved uniform while in a duty status.Physical and Environmental Conditions: The work environment includes offices, aircraft operation areas, airline passenger and cargo areas, and marine docks. Periods of outdoor work may be required in snow, rain, or extreme heat. Occasional periods of outdoor work may be required in remote areas with no modern comfort facilities. The work may involve the use of toxic chemicals, pesticides and fumigants. Protective clothing may be required such as hard hats, gloves, goggles, hearing protection, and respirators.

If you are not a current GS-0401, and you are selected, you will have to meet the following medical/physical standards:Medical Requirements: The Agriculture Specialist position has medical qualification standards. A pre-placement medical examination is required to ensure those tasked with the position's responsibilities are medically and physically capable of performing the essential tasks and job functions in an efficient and safe manner without endangering the health and safety of co-workers, the public, or oneself. Persons in this position must demonstrate they are physically and mentally capable of performing the essential functions of the position. The medical qualification standards cover any disease or condition that may potentially interfere with the safe and efficient performance of the job duties or training may constitute grounds for medical disqualification. The medical standards also include specific vision and hearing requirements as noted below.

Vision:

Distant Visual Acuity: Must be at least 20/30 or better in the best eye with or without correction. Individuals who have undergone refractive eye surgeries/procedures (e.g., photorefractive laser surgery, keratoplast, LASIK) may be qualified provided they have no post-operative adverse complications and they meet the vision requirements.

Near Vision: Must be 20/30 or better Snellen with or without corrective lenses.

Color Vision: Must be able to distinguish colors (i.e., red, green, yellow, blue, orange, purple, pink, brown, black, white, gray). Use of an X-chrome lens is not acceptable.

Visual Fields: a minimum of 140 degrees in the horizontal meridian.

Hearing:

Hearing level in each ear must not exceed 40 decibels (dB) for the average of the following frequencies: 500, 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hertz (Hz).

The difference in hearing level between the better ear thresholds and worse ear thresholds may not exceed 15dB for the average of 500, 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz.

The difference in hearing level between the better ear and worse ear may not exceed 30dB at 4000 or 6000 Hz.

The use of hearing aids to meet the standards is acceptable.

Education/Experience Requirement: You must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences (including botany, entomology, and plant pathology), agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines (e.g., ecology). If you have not completed the above described education, you must have completed at least 24 semester hours in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or a related discipline at an accredited college or university plus appropriate experience or additional education. Examples of qualifying experience may include working in such areas as pest management, environmental monitoring, farm management, agricultural commodity importation and/or exportation, or other related experience in pest/pathogen detection, regulation, eradication, and control.

Transcripts: If you have never held a position in the GS-0401 series with Customs and Border Protection, you are required to submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Federal Government, you are not CTAP eligible. Information about CTAP eligibility can be found here. To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must possess the knowledge, skills and abilities and/or competencies clearly exceeding the minimum requirements of the position. This will be measured by a score of 85 or higher. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.CBP uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.

Every individual receives a fair opportunity throughout the federal recruitment and hiring process. Learn more here.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Agriculture Specialist Promotional Assessment: Qualified U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) candidates will be ranked on the basis of the scores received on your Agriculture Specialist Promotional Assessment. Competitive applicants must have a valid test score when the announcement opens, otherwise we cannot consider you for this position. Alternate Staffing Candidates (Non-Competitive candidates) need not have a current, valid test score. Alternate Staffing (Non-Competitive) candidates include applicants who have permanently held a second-line supervisory/managerial position or equivalent at the highest grade announced or higher.

Your application record will remain in a pending status until after the announcement closes, at which time we will upload test scores. If you have completed the assessment questionnaire and have uploaded all required documents for this announcement, there is nothing further you need to do at this time.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics (KSAOs):
Candidates who meet the minimum qualification requirements are required to possess certain Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, or Other Characteristics (KSAOs) to successfully perform the functions of this position. Candidates will be asked to demonstrate their attainment of these KSAOs in their resume. The KSAOs are:

Knowledge of and ability to interpret a wide variety of laws, rules, regulations and procedures concerning import-export of agricultural commodities, commercial cargo or personal possessions to U.S.

Extensive knowledge of elements of search, behavioral observation, questioning and us of automated processing systems.

Knowledge of principles and techniques of management including responsibilities relative to bargaining unit employees.

Knowledge and understanding of policies, principles and objectives of equal employment opportunity and special emphasis programs.